POULSBO — Come January, the Port of Poulsbo will see just one new face on the commission.
Commissioner Arnie Bockus was defeated by Jim Rutledge is his bid for re-election to Position 3 in the Nov. 8 election. But Bockus will be sworn as Position 2 commissioner Dec. 1 to replace Glenn Gilbert, who resigned last month.
Port Manager Kirk Stickels said Bockus and one other person applied for the vacancy, but the other applicant did not live within the Port District, a commissioner requirement. He added the board does not need quorum to swear in a new commissioner and a vote is not needed because Bockus is the only eligible applicant.
The situation is unique, but Stickels said the board and port staff worked with their attorney and were “cognizant of the rules … and appearance” of appointing a sitting commissioner to a vacancy.
“It’s kind of disappointing in a way that there are not more people interested in filling the position,” Bockus said. “But I’m happy to be able to continue serving in that capacity.”
Gilbert resigned because of health issues. Bockus will serve the remainder of Gilbert’s term, which ends in 2013.
“We’re going to be missing Commissioner Gilbert. He was a good influence on the port and had some great ideas,” Bockus said. But he is looking forward to the “fresh ideas” of new commissioner Rutledge.
Bockus and Commissioner Tony DeCarlo will serve on the board in December before being joined by Rutledge in January.
